Striking a balance in the classroom: Navigating cellphone bans, Yondr solutions, and the ongoing debate on phone use in schools
Be sure to check out the suggested Huddle question at the bottom of this article to discuss this important topic with your students in class, if you feel it is appropriate.
A California startup named Yondr has emerged as a new player in the debate on phones in the classroom. Yondr produces magnetically sealed fabric pouches that lock up phones, offering a simple solution to the complex issue of tech distractions. Recently, these pouches have gained traction in schools across the U.S., prompting educators and schools to take notice of the role phones may play in the classroom.
Opinions among educators about cellphone bans are mixed. Some commend the positive impact on student focus and engagement, while others highlight challenges in enforcing these policies. Students are also sharing their voices on the topic, as Change.com has nearly 80 petitions against Yondr and numerous online message boards advise on how to get around school cell phone bans.
Whether or not students use phones in school, they will use them outside of school. Dive deeper as we explore innovative solutions such as Yondr and #WinAtSocial, examining ways to strike a balance that harnesses the positive potential of technology.
The Impact of Yondr on students and learning environments
In the past eight years, school districts in 41 states have invested $2.5 million in Yondr, highlighting the growing concern among schools about cell phone use in the classroom. The pouches, easily lockable and unlockable with a specialized magnet, create a physical barrier to access phones.
With 95% of teens reporting access to a smartphone, constant pings, rings, and dings spread within school walls.
Navigating tech challenges in school, Diego Ochoa, superintendent of the San Mateo-Foster City School District in California, recounts incidents of inappropriate videos and cyberbullying, illustrating the need for intervention.
Anthony Vaccaro, a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Southern California, suggests that schools need to look beyond phone bans and address the root causes of distraction and bullying.
He says, “Just because we removed the phone from the environment doesn’t mean these issues are going to go away.”
While Yondr pouches can help bring back classroom focus and promote active student engagement, some educators and parents raise concerns about potential drawbacks, like limiting students’ access to their families in an emergency.
We know that phones, social media, and tech aren’t going away – and for students, it’s how they are social, illustrating the need to empower and equip, not scare and restrict.
Through #WinAtSocial, students are empowered to navigate phones, technology, and social media positively, whether these devices are locked away during the school day or not. The solution lies in not restricting access but fostering a healthy relationship with technology that benefits learning and student well-being. But how?
Empowering students to strike a balance with tech in the classroom
Banning phones outright may not be the ultimate solution; instead, we can empower students to find balance in their social media and tech use. One of our Seven Social Standards, Strike A Balance, empowers students to balance their time and attention with those around them.
Here are some ways educators can empower students to strike a balance with tech without the need for physical barriers:
- Approach Technology as a Tool to Enhance Productivity: Educators can emphasize that technology is a tool to enhance learning and communication rather than a constant source of distraction.
- Establish Classroom Policies: Create clear policies regarding device use within the classroom. Check out our Classroom Tech Policy to bring this to your classroom in 2024!
- Encourage Dialogue: Foster an environment where students feel comfortable discussing their technology habits. This open communication helps in understanding individual challenges and concerns.
Yondr’s success in limiting distractions in the classroom emphasizes the importance for educators to empower students to strike a balance with tech. By embracing innovative solutions and equipping students with the tools to navigate tech positively, educators can create a learning environment where technology is a tool for education, not a hindrance. Check out The Social Institute’s School Playbook, Educators’ Role in Empowering Students to Strike a Balance with Technology, for more best-in-class strategies to empower students to manage their digital distractions.
#WinAtSocial Huddle Question
Huddle with your students
Are you for or against cell phone bans in school? Share your thoughts on the positive impacts of having phones in class or the challenges they may bring. Don’t hold back—let’s hear your voice in this debate!
The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in empowering students by understanding students. Through #WinAtSocial, our gamified, peer-to-peer learning platform, we equip students, educators, and families to navigate their social world – in the classroom and beyond, online and offline – in healthy, high-character ways. Our unique, student-respected approach empowers and equips, rather than scares and restricts. We incorporate timely topics about social media, tech use, and current events that are impacting student well-being and learning. #WinAtSocial Lessons teach life skills for the modern day, capture student voice, and provide school leaders with actionable insights. Through these insights, students play an essential role in school efforts to support their own health, happiness, and future success as we enable high-impact teaching, meaningful family conversations, and a healthy school culture.